Command History Office

Historical period between 1902 and 1946 is covered in three historical collections, which you can access below:

1) The Presidio of Monterey Historical Collection consists of documents and photographs regarding the history of the Presidio of Monterey from the 1500’s to 1980s, as well as local Monterey historical information. Military units included are the 1st, 10th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Cavalry, the 12th and 20th infantry, as well as the 76th Field Artillery, CMTC, ROTC, and CASA. The subject matter consists of marches, maneuvers, parades, training, training, individuals, and general images of camp life. Also included are documents and images of early Monterey, specifically the landing of Viscaino and Father Serra, as well as downtown and Cannery Row scenes. – (Download PDF)

2) The General Edward H. Plummer Collection consists of documents, photographs, & articles from the personal and military records of General Plummer, builder of the present Presidio of Montery. The collection ranges in subject matter from correspondence relating to Army subject matter as well as orders relating to General Plummer’s assignments. – (Download PDF)

3) The Black Military History Collection consists of records, sketches and photographs regarding the history of black soldiers who began serving in the U.S. military in the French and Indian Wars, as well as the Revolutionary War.  This record group has specific information on the history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th U.S. Cavalry.  The 9th/10th Cavalry came to the Presidio of Monterey in November 1902.  The 425 black troopers of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry under the command of Captain G.W. Read pitched their tents near the Chinese fishing village in Pacific Grove (near the present day Hopkins Marine Station). The 9th Cavalry were the first black soldiers stationed in California. – (Download PDF)

The Fort Ord Historical Collection generally consists of records, unit books, pamphlets, clippings, maps, and photographs relating to Fort Ord and nearby military facilities and areas from the early 1940s until 1994.  These holdings feature information about the 7th Infantry Division, development of the post, and military training during various periods.  The collection documents camp life, maneuvers, marches, troop reviews, inspections, recruits, aerial images, buildings and construction, encampments at Camps Gigling, Ord, Clayton and Fort Ord, and the filming of such Hollywood films as “Bugle Call” and “Fearless Fagan.” – (Download PDF)

Related collections include information about General Joseph Stilwell and other prominent local officers.  The Command History Office also maintains a large number of Fort Ord maps and blueprints and a nearly complete archival collection of the post newspaper called the “Panorama,” published from 1940 until 1993.  Currently, access to the paper or its indexes can be arranged by appointment.

Fort Ord Unit Books:

The following unit books, similar to high school yearbooks, represent a sample of thousands that were produced by U.S. Army combat and basic training units stationed at Fort Ord before its closure.  More will be added as they become available.

We have two collections which cover the period since 1946, and you can access those below:

1) The Army Language School Historical Collection consists of records regarding the history of the Army Language School (ALS) and the creation of DLIWC (Defense Language Institute-West Coast). Valuable historical information about the formation of ALS and DLI available within this collection consists of organizational charts, departmental timelines, instructor recruitment.  – (Download PDF)

2) The DLIFLC Command History, written by the Command and Deputy Historians, are available to the public as reference documents. The Command History generally covers one to two years of DLIFLC’s academic and administrative history and is divided into six chapters with each chapter discussing an important aspect of the function, structure, and management of DLIFLC and its associated garrison—the Presidio of Monterey.  The report includes various appendices, figures, a glossary, and an index to help the reader make efficient use of a document primarily intended to serve as an encyclopedic reference and official history of DLIFLC and the Presidio during this period. Most references cited may be found in the DLIFLC and Presidio Archives located in the Chamberlin Library at the Ord Military Community in Seaside, California. Please contact the Archives to learn more about the Command History or to request materials reported in the Command History.